Taking advantage of the absence of top-notched horses in the class two, Shocking Star made her victory in the Arjun Plate almost a formality at the Delhi races on Thursday. Trainer Zulfiqar Khan and his nephew jockey Shadab Khan booted home a creditable double. After receiving a severe setback at the hands of Moongate Man over 1,100m in the previous outing, Shocking Star faced a mediocre set this time. Also, sending her out at the odds of which racegoers preferably make a sideway had almost cleared the picture prior to the event. The Magan Singh-trained speedy daughter of Ontario and Maratha Princess got into action after the jump and the rest of the field had no other option but to play the role of onlookers.

Jockey Syed Afsar Shah, who drove the victor Shocking Star, preferred to keep her on a tight rein; otherwise the one-and-a-half-year old record of Shub Shubh would have easily been broken. She was just slower by a decimal 24 seconds of the record of 0.58.63 seconds over the five furlongs. With her upgradation, a keen contest for the speed in the class one is likely to make a round. Ashwa Panama, who hardly made any impression on the winner, should make amends soon. A keen tussle for supremacy was seen in upper division of The Indian Navy Cup. Originally, K Sunny-ridden El Toro, who was supported well by the connection, managed to keep the challenge of the favourite Ashwa Prisha (Burden Of Proof – Exotic Fantasy) at bay by a whisker but it was not the end of the line for the loser.

After losing the battle on the turf, reinman Gajendra Singh Shekhawat dragged the victor into the stewards room on the ground of having had received interferences in the last furlong. The stewards allowed the plea and awarded the top plum to Ashwa Prisha. El Toro would have made a straight course had Sunny had the assistance of whip of which he has already been deprived of till the end of the season. The lower division of the trophy saw Odds N Evens (Ontario – Against All Odds) making every post a wining one under the guidance of Rajinder. Da Vinci, who warmed up late, was seen finishing close third behind Movie Queen. Grey Dancer was the other runner to impress. Mohsin Khan's Devputra (late Chevron) did not allow his age to come his way to victory in the class three Admiral Plate over seven furlongs.

Jockey Harkesh Kumar showed his brilliance by adopting a waiting tactics. Kohinoor Beauty, who finished third behind Revengeful Knight, should soon taste victory over the longer trip. The day's opener, The I.N.S. Virat Plate, saw Zulfiqar Khan's charge Global Wind (Shadab Khan atop) emerging victorious in a pillar-to-post affair. The pair of the professionals got together in the concluding event, The I.N.S. Kulish Plate, as Mystic Miracle (Flitch – Ric-Rac), after coming from nowhere, turned the table on Borzu Again with a few yards still left from the winning post.